As part of their all-round educational and spiritual development, students at Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School are being exposed to a religious session in the courtyard each week. This has been organised by Deputy Principal and Head of the Campus, Anne Edwards, in cooperation with Ministers from various churches on the island.

The sessions are planned in such a way that a number of students are actually involved in prayer, Bible-reading and singing, usually led by a teacher. Following that they are addressed by the Minister of religion invited for the occasion. Last week, the Minister was Pastor Welcome of the New Testament Church at George Hill. The religious instruction is seen as a means of helping to promote discipline on the campus and to enrich the spiritual lives of the young children.

Cross section of students at assembly

The children also had an opportunity to hear about caring for the health needs of themselves and others during two lectures for Red Cross Week. The presenters were Sergeant Vincent Gumbs of the Royal Anguilla Police Force and Lindon Hodge.

Meanwhile, a number of the students were given a stern rebuke by Ms Edwards who charged that they were not conforming to the school uniform code. She cautioned them that if they did not obey the rules they would be sent home. She began by warning them not to pull the ties of any of their fellow students thereby causing them discomfort and emphasised that they should wear the proper uniform with white shirt and shoes at all times.

“If anybody is found with a black shoe and a polo shirt on you will be sent home. Don’t bother to let your parents send in any type of excuses because they will not be accepted,” she warned. Ms Edwards noted that at the beginning of the new school year students were told what uniform they should wear and she was concerned that up to now some were saying that did not know what was required of them.

Deputy Principal Ann Edwards, Pastor Welcome, Tr. Eva Hodge, Sergeant Vincent Gumbs, Lyndon Hodge

“Your refusal to wear the uniform properly is an indication of the cancer that is going through the Anguillian community,” the Campus B Head observed. “We Anguillians like to disobey the laws; and it is obvious that you children who are coming up to replace us as we move out of the system need to take stock of what you are doing and obey the laws.

“You are causing us to take off time from teaching you to talk about things that are totally unnecessary. I know that you are wonderful people and I am asking you to help us manage the school properly. Boys and girls, you must have on your ties from home. You must leave home in the proper uniform.”

Tr. Eva Hodge conducting assembly session

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